A talented 12-year-old girl of Odia origin, based in the United Kingdom, has made a remarkable mark in junior athletics. Sunaya delivered an impressive performance at the national finals of a prestigious cross country competition, showcasing her running prowess on a major stage.
An Impressive National Debut
Competing at the English Schools Athletic Association (ESAA) Cross Country Cup national round, Sunaya secured the 38th position among 158 qualified Under-13 girls. The national final was hosted at Princethorpe College in Rugby, Warwickshire. This event is widely recognized as one of the most esteemed youth athletics competitions in England, where teams progress through rigorous school, county, and regional qualifying rounds.
Stepping Stones to Success
Sunaya's journey to the national stage was built on a series of strong performances. A Year 7 student at Dr Challoner’s High School (DCHS) in Amersham, she first topped her school-level trials to earn a spot among the six junior girls representing DCHS.
Her campaign gained momentum at the Buckinghamshire county round, where her third-place individual finish was instrumental in her team clinching the top spot. The regional round in Oxford saw her achieve an even bigger feat: she finished second out of 73 competitors. This stellar run helped her school team finish third overall in the east-central region, which includes counties like Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire, and Cambridgeshire.
Recognition Beyond School Competitions
Adding to her list of accomplishments, Sunaya was selected to represent Buckinghamshire at the Inter-Counties Cross Country match in Greenford, London. This event was organized by the Southern England Athletic Association. Despite being one of the youngest participants in the squad, she finished as the top runner for her county in her debut appearance at this level.
Her dedication to sport extends beyond formal competitions. A regular participant in weekly park runs and a member of the Chiltern Harriers Athletics Club, Sunaya's all-round progress was acknowledged at the OSUK annual convention. Furthermore, the Amersham Town Council honoured her with the Amersham Volunteer Award 2025 for her contributions as a parkrun volunteer.
Her father, Rasmi Kanta Nanda, an IT architect, shared that Sunaya and her family are all UK passport holders and also possess Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) status. This young athlete's story is a proud moment for the Odia community and a testament to the sporting talent within the Indian diaspora.
